BJP does away with bouquets, garlands at party functions

Books, khadi ‘patkas’ replace the practice

The state BJP unit today decided to do away with the practice of presenting bouquets and garlands to dignitaries at party functions. Instead, the party has decided to adopt custom of giving a “khadi patka” or a book as mark of respect to the dignitary.
Communicating the decision to all district presidents, office-bearers and working committee members, BJP state president Sat Sharma said the existing practice of presenting bouquets was not part of the party’s culture and needed to be done away with.
Sharma said since the BJP was committed to propagation and preservation of rich cultural heritage and practice of showing respect in a very dignified manner, it had been decided that instead of presenting bouquets, a “khadi patka” or a book be given as a mark of respect and for felicitation.
Elaborating on the subject, Sharma said, “our culture is very ancient, rich and diverse but there are many common practices, cutting across the language and cultural lines.”
The practice of presenting a “patka” is common throughout the country. Similarly, giving a quality book to a dignitary represents utmost reverence for knowledge and obeisance to Goddess Saraswati, he said.
Speaking to Kashmir Post, party chief spokesperson Sunil Sethi said the new order would not be limited to bouquets only, but the practice of giving huge flower garlands to leaders would also come to an end.
“There will be no garlanding of the dignitaries on any occasion and only ‘patkas’ or books will be offered. The idea of presenting ‘patka’ has been adopted as it promotes khadi which is the basic fabric of Bharat. It is a step towards raising the village economy also,” said Sethi.
The party’s decision was also shared and implemented in the just-concluded state working committee meeting of the BJP at Rajouri where all dignitaries were presented with “khadi patkas.”